An Age of Magic

Which would your man prefer – a bald head or prostate cancer?

It seems like a cold question to ask but studies have shown that hair loss in men is connected with a drop in their chances of contracting cancer of the prostate. Lets face it, it is the one thing men under 30 don’t want to see in the mirror – the glossy glow of a balding patch. But research suggests those who, like Prince William, are facing a future with less hair should stop fretting at that receding hairline.

Men who start going bald at a young age are up to 45 per cent less likely to fall victim to prostate cancer later in life, scientists have found. So if you have been giving him the best vitamin for men that you assumed would save his lovely locks then maybe you should think again! Although half of all men suffer significant hair loss by the age of 50, an American team has linked the high levels of testosterone in those who go bald earlier to a lower risk of tumours. This news may not make him jump for joy, but when you think about it I know which problem I would prefer my man to have…

Popularity: 14% [?]

Lonely people suffer higher blood pressure – so start meeting people!

Research has shown that lonely people are more prone to developing high blood pressure in later life. It has been found that found chronic feelings of loneliness will push up the blood pressure over time, causing a marked increase after four years in people aged over 50. A recent study is the first to show a direct link between loneliness and high blood pressure, known as hypertension, which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Previous research has suggested that individuals who feel alone are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as those who experienced little loneliness. The latest research involved 229 people aged 50 to 68 who were part of a long-term study on ageing. Among all the people in the sample, the loneliest people saw their blood pressure go up by 14.4 mm more than the blood pressure of their most socially contented counterparts over the four-year study period. Hypertension affects 16 million Britons and is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

A high blood pressure reading is one that exceeds 140/90 millimetres of mercury.

Popularity: 13% [?]

One year on and we are back at the gym…

It is hard to believe that this time last year we were working out five days a week at the local gym, we were fighting fit and dropping the excess weight we plied on while were living in France. It took a while but we got it shifted. What started us off seriously was a trip to the doctor who told ‘one of us’ that we had high blood pressure and exercise would help to lower it.

So we adjusted our diet, eliminated salt (we don;t miss it at all) and hit the treadmills. We also bought a course of the alli weight loss program but found it did not do much for us as our problems did not revolve around a high fat intake – you need to be cutting right down on your fat for these pills to work.

After we got back from France we did not get the chance to get going at the gym again so now we have restarted almost a year to the day. I am determined to wear that bikini on holiday this year!

Popularity: 11% [?]